Argument Analysis
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Argument Analysis
The “Theory of Everyday Politics” outlines the youth culture as a form of political participation through which the youths seek to attain their pleasures and freedom from the governing bodies. The theory identifies that youth’s lifestyle and culture aims to transform the political participation into everyday activities. The adopted lifestyles create a sense of sovereignty by offering youths personal spaces to develop different values free from government influence. In support of the theory, Riley et al. (2010) identify that Western societies are organized in neo-tribal structures where people form groups with a common bond and governed by a certain ethic that dictates the development of activities within the group. Under the groups, people develop spaces where they can live their chosen lifestyles by developing their values. The freedom attained within the various groups creates the space from which people can escape from political structures. The article also identifies that Western society has embraced a neoliberal culture upon which individuals are responsible for their wellbeing. Neo-liberal systems undermine the need for representative democracy, which makes people to distance themselves from government activities in preference of engagements that develop a sense of independence.
Despite the view of Electronic Dance Music Culture (EDMC) as a social factor, Riley et al. identify that EDMC can be understood in a political perspective. Concerning Riley et al.’s argument, EDMC is a political action that seeks to generate pleasure and ensure the youths’ survival who feel alienated from the governing systems. In consideration, EDMC developed politics do not seek to establish a change. Instead, they seek to counter the influence of governing bodies on youth activities by developing neoliberal structure and alienating the youths from traditional political systems. Thus, EDMC can be identified as a political activity that generates counter dominance aspect by creating an environment that facilitates youth sovereignty and develops pleasure in line with the youths’ demands.
I can’t entirely agree with the argument that youth culture can be identified as a political activity. In my view, youth activities are meant to attain personal pleasures and ensure integration among peers. Regarding this argument, youth culture does not serve as a counter political activity. Instead, it is a social activity that promotes integration among the youths, thus creating a sense of belonging and community, which generates pleasure. In addition, youth culture does not develop political struggles seeking to make changes within the existing governance structures, which Riley et al. identify as the primary cause of EDMC.
References
Riley, S., Griffin, C. & Morey, Y. (2010). The case for “everyday politics:” evaluating neo-tribal theory as a way to understand alternative forms of political participation, Using Electronic Dance Music Culture as an example. Sociology, 44(2): 345-363